Friday, November 22, 2013

Historic statues stolen from Godinton House garden


Two historic lead statues worth £30,000 have been stolen from the garden at Godinton House in Kent, triggering fears they will be melted down and sold as scrap.
The two statues, which depict a nude dancing man and a female muse, were taken by thieves on Monday night. A tenant on the ancient estate, near Ashford, discovered the theft the next morning.
The oldest statues in the garden, the pair have stood in the grounds since the late 19th century and are valued at around £30,000.
The trail left by the intruders suggests that the figurines were taken away in a trolley, which was wheeled across the grounds and lifted over fences – one of which is now slightly broken.
Nick Sandford, the estate manager at Godinton, said, “This charming pair of lead figures date back to the 18th century and have been at Godinton for at least 100 years. They form the focal point at the end of the Tennis Lawn.

(Reproduced from telegraph.co.uk  22nd Nov)

Gardien Comment: No matter the distance from buildings, items of value need some protection. If possible, electricity should be run to the vicinity and a CCTV system installed - if not a Solar security light should be installed in the area as this alone may be sufficient to scare off thieves.

Monday, November 11, 2013

Statues stolen from Blandford garden

 

The deer statues that were stolen.                    
The deer statues that were stolen.

BLANDFORD Police are appealing for information after four large bronze statues were stolen from the rear garden of a house in the Thornicombe area of the town.

Officers said this morning that the incident happened sometime between 5pm on Tuesday, October 29, 8am the next day.

Those responsible gained entry to the garden and made off with two deer statues – five and four feet in height – along with two one-foot bronze fawns.

Andy Woodford, of the Dorset Police Crime Management Unit, said: “Following extensive enquiries, I am now able to release an image of the bronze statues.


“It is possible someone may have seen the offenders loading these items onto a vehicle and these details could help us identify those responsible.”

No arrests have been made.

Call Dorset Police in confidence on 101, quoting crime number C:13:C:45526. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.

(Reproduced from Bournemouth Daily Echo, 11th Nov)

Gardien Comment: Yet more heavy items being taken. See the advice re Garden Statues at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-antiques-security.aspx

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Garden ornaments stolen by thieves during night raids

 

The stolen sundial.
The stolen sundial.
Thieves raided gardens and stole ornaments worth a substantial amount of money.
Police are appealing for information after several thefts in the Kirkby Lonsdale and Carnforth area.

The first theft was on Saturday night, October 26, when two distinctive antique intricate stone-carved acorn gateposts were stolen from the entrance to a property in the Fairbank area of Kirkby Lonsdale.

On the same night in the Fairbank area, two large vintage garden urns and an antique sundial were stolen from a front garden.

Two further thefts were reported on October 28.

One was near Fairbank, where a four foot concrete lion water feature was stolen from a front garden.

In Lupton, Carnforth, two antique grey sandstone balls were also reported stolen from the end of a driveway.
DC David Moffat said: “Some of these items are worth a substantial amount of money, and we are asking the local community to help us track them down.

“Many of the items are large objects which would have been difficult to move.

“I would urge people in the Kirkby Lonsdale area to ensure all valuable property is secure, and if you notice anything missing please report it to the police.

“If anyone has seen anything suspicious in the area recently, or has any information, please call Cumbria Police on 101or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(Reproduced from the Visitor, Nov 10th - Lancaster and Morecambe)

Gardien Comment: Nothing is too heavy to move for those determined to take it - see the advice re Garden Antiques at http://www.garden-security.co.uk/garden-antiques-security.aspx